Saturday, October 9, 2010

weekend ideas for my Chicago peeps...

It is going to be a gorgeous weekend here in Illinois! I can't believe it is going to be 86 degrees and sunny today! Hello?? October?? Where are you? I am in the mood to get out and about this weekend, so thought I would share a couple of things I am agenda for my local friends. (Or any of you that are ready and willing to jump on a plane and meet me for some fun this weekend!)

My weekend plans also include taking in an auction or two, a local small-town fall festival and of course another trip to the apple orchard!

So many of my Chicago customers were asking me at my show last weekend about the apple orchard in my area of Illinois they had heard of...and I promised them I would post about it so here is goes.

Ok, now I know there are apple orchards everywhere.

I have been to quite a few around my area. But if you are anywhere in the vicinity or Northern Illinois, you must...and yes, I mean MUST...take a day to visit Edward's Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove, IL. It is an apple orchard like no other.

The family that owns this gorgeous farm has been offered every decorating magazine spread known to man...but they refuse every one. They want to keep it 'local'....not too 'commercial'...and to be quite honest you can go there on a Wednesdday afternoon and every parking spot is full. I can't imagine what it would do to the feel of it if suddenly the country roads were a traffic jam because of their new-found magazine fame. I love that about this family. They are humble and gracious. And that is what makes people come back year after year.

It is a gorgeous country drive...I love all the pretty farmhouses along the way...but once I get there I am lost in a little dreamy wonderland for a couple of hours.

The first thing that comes into view when you arrive is the owners house. Isn't is dreamy?? I am so in love with it. Do you ever look at a house and wonder what it would be like to live there? Trust me, with this one, I do. I am a house-dreamer. I admit it.

It is officially my dream property. Gorgeous farmhouse. Huge barns.

And an adorable Golden Retriever named Ollie and an old truck that sits in the driveway. Seriously, how could you not want to move right in??

This apple orchard is part of family tradition around Northern Illinois. Families have been coming here for generations...but a couple of years ago it was almost destroyed by a tornado. The huge old barns were lost, as was the original famrhouse.

Not wanting anyone to lose that sense of tradition when they came out to visit, they rebuilt the farmhouse and barns just as they were, using as much salvage as possible from the wreckage.

Isn't it amazing they could rebuild??

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I am always in awe of the inside. It is massive, and the way they reused the old barn wood was genius! Love the signs...but the best part is now there is a big window where you can watch them making the apple cider they sell. It is soooo good. Nothing like the cider from a store. It is like eating a whole apple. Pure love, I tell ya!

And these sweet ladies make the BEST fudge. I am sure it is some sort of sin to leave without trying a piece...or a pound. So worth every extra minute of the treadmill.

(On a design note, this orchard has the BEST light fixtures! I know, so weird to notice things like that, isn't it, but there are barn lights everywhere!)

This is the porch outside the restaurant. I loooove the light fixture.

There is so much to see...you can pet the goats and ooh and ahhh at their babies...and there are baby cows and pigs, too!

Or you can take a ride out to the orchard to pick your own apples to take home. There are even pony rides for the little ones!

Ooohh..my favorite part...make your manly-man husband feel like a total fool by making him stick his head through the turkey and take lots...and lots of photos of him! He will love it...I promise!

Oh, and I almost forgot the BEST part! There is nothing better than taking home warm apple cider donuts that they make fresh all day...and of course some freshly squeezed apple cider. And have you tried the Autumn Beauty apple yet? It is like candy. So sweet and fabulous!

So if you are out and about...perhaps taking in the Na-Da Barn Sale today...make the extra drive to Edwards...you will LOVE it! I promise!

I used to live in Illinois and my family loved visiting Edwards Orchard every Fall. I was so upset when I found out about the tornado. I am happy to learn that they rebuilt and are up and running again. It was so fun for me to look at these picures of Edwards. Boy, do I miss those apple donuts!

What a lucky girl to live close to such a great place! We revamped our milking parlor into a retail space for our greenhouse and the customers just love it. Nothing like old barn wood to get the inspirational juices flowing :)

the orchard looks beautiful! that picture after the tornado gave me chills. i'm so happy they could rebuild it. my kind of place. have fun at the sale i hope to get there one day! enjoy your weekend! susan

Hey Sweetie ~ YOU arehaving fun, undoubtedlywith the rest of what Ihave dubbed {in my mind!}my "Chicago posse" at theNada Farm sale. The onein June was wonderful andno doubt this one is, too!Can't wait to ask my palKathleen if she's been tothis fabulous farm. I cansee why you are such a fan!xx SuzannePS: Your turkey is cute : )

Hi Mary, Thanks so much for the heads up about Edwards. We've been looking for a sincere family orchard for a long time. We went to Wauconda Orchards (now a subdivision) when our kids were young and have so many happy memories.

I can't wait to see how the sale went and what goodies you bring home. I love all those old farm houses above. Gosh you would love to take a ride in Augusta Missouri near where I live. It is so beautiful. Hope you had a safe trip.

Oh my goodness - we just went! My husband and I took our son here (accompanied by my in-laws) for 3 years now, and we just love it. Their ice cream is DIVINE and we cannot leave without their doughnuts! Our son loves picking his own pumpkin and feeding the animals.

Ohhhh Edwards donuts!!! How I wish I could have one. (Ok, 6 I admit it.) I had not seen the "new" Edwards because I have not made the trip up north during the fall for many years...your photos totally made me smile. Thanks!

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WHO AM I??

I am an urban farmgirl. The first 17 years of my life, I spent living in the country, on a little farm with a beautiful white barn and a big farmhouse I miss every day of my life. I was raised to work hard and love the simple things. Back then I yearned for the bright lights and a big city, but today, I find myself living in a small city and dreaming of returning to my roots.

I spend my days doing what I love...running my own little business...trying everyday to keep it from running me. I spend my nights dreaming of backroads, a big old farmhouse and living a life unscheduled. I am a homebody. Yet, I am a victim of wanderlust. I want to travel the world with my sweet husband. So come along for the ride. I will chronicle this crazy thing I call my life and all that entails. You will find a little bit of everything here...furniture makeovers, details of our travel, even a DIY saga or two as we reno our new home.